Nutrition Program Officer at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps has worked since 2012 by focusing its programming on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic development, conflict mitigation, and humanitarian response.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Nutrition Program Officer

Requisition Number: NUTRI003276
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time, Regular.

Program / Department Summary

• The Program Officer will be based in Maiduguri to support the planned nutrition activities in the USAID-BHA funded THRIVE program (Transitioning Households to Recovery from Vulnerability) in JERE LGA, Borno State.
• It is a 24-month program implemented by a consortium led by CRS and will provide context-specific humanitarian assistance with the goal of initiating early recovery in four wards in Jere LGA: Mairi, Mashamari, Dusuman, and Maimusari. THRIVE program covers various sectors i.e., Food Assistance, Multi-purpose Cash Assistance, Shelter & Settlement, Nutrition, WASH, Protection, Agriculture & ERMS.
• The nutrition response supports both nutrition-sensitive and specific interventions that contribute to the prevention, detection, and management of malnutrition. It largely focuses on filling gaps in Community Management of Acute Malnutrition services i.e., Support community nutrition screening, referral and follow-up of SAM and MAM cases and the treatment of Moderate Acute Malnutrition using the Tom brown supplementary feeding program. It will also collaborate with other Nutrition and health Actors to ensure the existence and functionality of the Stabilization Center, Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTPs) and other Primary health care services.
• The program will also support supplemental Nutrition Assistance through the distribution of Fresh Food Vouchers to ensure that vulnerable participants, especially Pregnant and Lactating Women and Children Under 2 years, consume diets that meet the minimum dietary diversity as well as improve health-seeking Behavior.
• This program is also integrating a robust Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition in emergency component to equip participants with knowledge and skills to prevent acute malnutrition.

General Position Summary

• The Nutrition Officer is responsible for overseeing day to day implementation of nutrition activities in four wards in Jere LGA: Mairi, Mashamari, Dusuman, and Maimusari.
• Activities will include Promotion / supporting adoption of recommended maternal and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, Distribution of Fresh Food Vouchers to target participants, monitoring and supervision of community-level nutrition screening including the rollout of Mother Led MUAC approach and as well participation in planned nutrition surveys and assessments.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Collaborate with other team members for effective integration between other services like Nutrition and health services.
• Collaborate with local authorities and other partners to harmonize different efforts for better impact and sustainability.
• Able to learn and update his/ her information or knowledge to adapt to the changing situation and context.

Program Management:

• Responsible for monitoring and supervision of the day-to-day implementation of nutrition and related activities and ensuring it is in accordance with the agreed work plan.
• Support capacity-building activities for field-level nutrition staff including on-job training and supportive supervision.
• Supervise community mobilization and sensitization activities aimed at promoting appropriate Maternal, Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and Fresh Food Vouchers to improve Household dietary Diversification.
• Spearhead the rollout of the Mother Led MUAC approach i.e., coordinate with community structures and any other key stakeholder, organize necessary materials/ tools required for the trainings, and lead the training sessions.
• Regularly monitor and ensure that the nutrition team in the field have the necessary tools (i.e., data collection tools, job aids, IEC materials etc.) and supplies required for quality implementation of planned nutrition activities.
• Participate in nutrition assessment and surveys planned in the catchment area.
• Participate in periodic program monitoring and evaluation activities including baselines, end lines, midterm reviews, lesson learning exercises and compilation of success stories.
• Closely collaborate with other sector teams to ensure an integrated Nutrition approach internally with MC sectors and externally with complementary activities implemented by other nutrition actors.
• Actively participate in area-level nutrition, food security and Health sector meetings.
• Ensure timely submission of quality weekly and monthly nutrition activity reports.

Team Management:

• Identify technical gaps among staff line managed and in liaison with the line manager provide on the job training and/ support supervision.
• Participate in developing detailed project implementation plan and orient the line managed on agreed actions.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.

Influence & Representation:

• Creates and maintain relationships with local health and other authorities to link services with the existing health structure smoothly,
• Upholds the image and values of Mercy Corps at all times.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Community Nutrition Mobilizers.

Accountability:

• Reports Directly to: Nutrition Coordinator.
• Works Directly with: Food security/ CASH team, Agriculture team, WASH team, MEAL Team.

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition or other related fields.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience focused on nutrition/food security, including community mobilization, participatory planning, and rural/community development.
• Previous similar experience with International NGO will be an asset.
• Familiarity with the intervention areas.
• Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Professional, good organizational capacity, good human relationships, motivated, flexible, culturally sensitive.
• Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri and English.

Success Factors:

• He/ She should be able to work independently, have good interpersonal and communication skills.
• He/ she should understand humanitarian principles and their application to program implementation.
• Must be able to solve problems and multi-task on a range of administrative and programmatic issues.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges.
• We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

• Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.
• We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all.
• We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics:

• Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity.
• We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members.
• As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
27th January, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.